Valley ag leader gives memorial gift for Clovis expansion

Sayre Miller (left), daughter of Bill McFarlane, and the rest of the Clovis Community Development Council, which works to build and strengthen relationships within the community for continued hospital support.

Clovis Community Medical Center’s massive new expansion is well on its way with supporters like agriculture leader Bill McFarlane. As a way to honor his parents, Frank and Dallas McFarlane, Bill gifted $25,000 for the new expansion.

The $300 million expansion and renovation, scheduled to be completed in fall 2013, will more than double the hospital’s capacity.

“Clovis Community’s expansion is a landmark venture that will put Clovis on the map as a world-class facility,” said Sayre Miller, daughter of Bill McFarlane.

Miller is a member of the Clovis Community Development Council, which works to build and strengthen relationships within the community for continued support of the nonprofit hospital.

She said her father was inspired by other Clovis agriculture entrepreneurs to give back to the community. As a founding member of Clovis Unified School District, Bill McFarlane believes strong institutions make for strong cities.

“If there is something everyone is going to need at one time— it’s a hospital,” Miller said. “Why not pull together to make it the one of dreams?”

“Bill McFarlane’s gift will impact the community for generations to come,” said Rob Saroyan, Community’s chief development officer. “His investment demonstrates how the community of Clovis is pulling together in these difficult economic times to build the hospital that will take them into the future.”

Clovis Community will be the first comprehensive, full-service hospital in the region to have all private patient rooms, a dedicated women’s pavilion and a special care nursery.

“Commemorative gifts are an excellent way to celebrate and recognize the life of an individual,” Saroyan said. “Memorial gifts allow donors to honor the memory of a loved one or friend while making a lasting impact on the health of the community.”